9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief – August 26, 2022

Dear Friends,

We have initiated some changes in the 9 PM Brief and other postings related to current affairs. What we sought to do:

  1. Ensure that all relevant facts, data, and arguments from today’s newspaper are readily available to you.
  2. We have widened the sources to provide you with content that is more than enough and adds value not just for GS but also for essay writing. Hence, the 9 PM brief now covers the following newspapers:
    1. The Hindu  
    2. Indian Express  
    3. Livemint  
    4. Business Standard  
    5. Times of India 
    6. Down To Earth
    7. PIB
  3. We have also introduced the relevance part to every article. This ensures that you know why a particular article is important.
  4. Since these changes are new, so initially the number of articles might increase, but they’ll go down over time.
  5. It is our endeavor to provide you with the best content and your feedback is essential for the same. We will be anticipating your feedback and ensure the blog serves as an optimal medium of learning for all the aspirants.
    • For previous editions of 9 PM BriefClick Here
    • For individual articles of 9 PM BriefClick Here

Current Affairs Compilations for UPSC IAS Prelims 2022

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 2

GS Paper 3

 

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)


Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 2

Debate on revdi culture highlights bitterness between Centre and states

 

Source: The post is based on the article “Debate on revdi culture highlights bitterness between Centre and states” published in the Indian Express on 26th August 2022.Syllabus: GS 2 – Issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure.

Relevance: About the increasing centralisation in fiscal space.

News: Recently, the Prime Minister has called for an end to free “revdi” (freebies) culture. This shows curbing freebies may now be the Centre’s policy priority. The Centre’s stranglehold over states on almost all fronts, is leading to a breakdown of trust between the two “partners”.

What are the opinions of the Constituent Assembly on the Unitary and Federal nature of the Constitution?

The framers of the Constitution were aware of the uncertainties raised when India embraced a federal structure with strong unitary features. The present issue of increasing unilateralism as a good governance model is not even expected.

Jawaharlal Nehru defended the unitary features as a weak central authority “would be incapable of ensuring peace, of coordinating vital matters of common concern and of speaking effectively for the whole country in the international sphere.”

But B R Ambedkar assured that “The Constitution is a federal Constitution…Both the Union and the states are created by the Constitution, both derive their respective authority from the Constitution.”

Must Read: End this asymmetrical conflict over ‘freebies’
What is the present state of Fiscal federalism in India?
Read here: A Centre-State skew further widened
How did increasing centralisation in fiscal space happened?

For a long time, Planning Commission and Finance Commission were the cardinal pillars of Centre-state relations on the fiscal front.

Over the years, the very nature of fiscal transfer has become thoroughly centralised. For instance,

Non-adherence to Finance Commission recommendations: The last two successive Finance Commissions pegged the share of states in gross taxes to over 40%. But the actual transfer never reached this prescribed level. The peak was 36.6% in FY19 and it fell to a meagre 29% subsequently.

Implementing Goods and Services Tax (GST): The GST was once hailed as a milestone for cooperative federalism. But in reality, it increased the dependence of the states on the Centre for revenue.

Abolition of Planning commission: The Commission was disbanded to make way for the Niti Aayog. The powers of allocation of resources to states were passed on to the Ministry of Finance.

Under the Planning Commission, the Gadgil formula was used to allocate funds to states. However, after 2015, transfers to states are determined based not on any formula but purely on political exigencies.

The issue with Niti Aayog: In National Development Council (NDC) meetings, the prime minister used to regularly meet the chief ministers. But this has long been abolished.

Instead, CMs were made members of the governing council of the Niti Aayog. This was neither a substitute for the discussions between the planning bodies of state governments and the Planning Commission nor the discussions in the NDC.

States as agents of implementing Central schemes: The Constitution empowers the states to conceive schemes to provide sustenance and relief to people. Many study highlights that state government schemes are more innovative and appropriate to the targeted groups.

However, the Centre justifies the collection of Cess and surcharges as the Centre distributes these to states via central schemes.

Read more: The poor state of India’s fiscal federalism
What should be done to correct the increasing centralisation in fiscal space?

The Centre’s record is still worse on the fiscal deficit front and off-budget borrowing. This should be corrected first.  Also at present, India need unity and not uniformity, assimilation not extinction.

Read more: Fiscal policy should return to fundamentals


Rainbow of Hope

 

Source: The post is based on the article “Rainbow of Hope” published in The Hindu on 26th August 2022.Syllabus: GS 2, Laws and mechanisms for the vulnerable sections

Context: The T.N. government, on the orders of the Madras High Court, has come out with a glossary of terms to address people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual or of any other orientation.

What are the terms?

The Department of Social Welfare and Women Empowerment notified the terms —

1) paal pudhumaiyar for queer;

2) maruviya paalinam for a transgender;

3) idaippaal for intersex;

4) paalina adaiyaalangaludan oththupogaathavar for a gender non-conforming person.

What are the different views with the terms?

Everyone one is not happy with these glossaries.

Some groups feel the word thirunar should be used for transgenders.

Others hope the nomenclature will not be helpful to those who fall outside the generalization of the benefits.

Rights activists hope the glossary is fluid because the conversation around gender and sexuality is evolving.

Recent judgments made regarding LGBTQI+

Madras High Court came out with a number of guidelines for the police, and social welfare ministries, both State and Centre, to ensure the safety of the community.

In a June 2021 order, the Madras High Court had acknowledged that social sanction is of supreme importance to lead a life of choice.

In 2018, a Bench of the Supreme Court had overturned a 2013 ruling and decriminalised homosexuality.

What are the issues still prevailing?

An individual who wants to live with dignity with his/her own identification still has to face lots of problems before enjoying liberty, autonomy and privacy guaranteed by Article 21.

The state and society often calls for traditional values to fight all sorts of phobias.

What should be the course of action?

The T. N. government has worked on the principle of suyamariyadhai or self-respect by creating inclusiveness in language for a marginalized community which is the cornerstone of the Dravidian movement.

Movement for equal rights in T.N. will have to ensure that children are not forced to go in for conversion therapy or thrown out of their homes for being different.


The simple truth

 

Source: The post is based on the article The simple truth published in The Times of India on 26th August 2022.Syllabus: GS 2 – Functioning of judiciary and governance in India

Context: The Supreme Court’s recently set aside the judgment of the Himachal Pradesh high court. The reason behind SC’s decision was that the judgment was incomprehensible.

Historical context behind keeping the language of governance difficult

The language of governance was deliberately made complex by governing classes in pre-modern societies. This complexity has survived till now.

It’s only over the last two decades that a movement to modernize and simplify the language of justice, law, and administration began in some Western democracies.

In the US, scholars of law-making regularly highlight opaque language and jargon in laws that also run into a number of pages.

What is the situation in India?

There have been very low-level efforts to change the language of governance. In the 75th year of its Independence, the language of the Indian state is still the same as the language of the colonial era.

It’s almost impossible to find clarity, brevity, and simplicity in the FIRs, charge sheets, drafting laws, and verdicts written by judges.

Today, English is a widely used language of governance in India but drafters of laws continue with old-styled expressions and complex sentence constructions.

The way of writing laws in old-fashioned is a great example of the frightening tax code that results in a large amount of litigation.

What can be done to improve this?

The general aim of keeping the language of laws and regulations difficult seems to be confusing the general population.

The laws and judgments should be written in such a way that the language can be understood by ordinary people, and experts should not be needed to translate laws and court rulings.


Pharma needs a dose of regulation

 

Source: The post is based on an article Pharma needs a dose of regulation” published in The Business Standard on 26th August 2022.Syllabus: GS 2 – Government policies for various sectors

 Relevance: Regulating Pharma Companies

News: Pharmaceutical marketing requires regulations.

Bengaluru-based Micro Labs has been accused of tax evasion and paying doctors Rs 1,000 crore as bribe to prescribe Dolo-650 for Covid-19 patients.

The Supreme Court is currently hearing a plea to make the Uniform Code for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (UCPMP) a statutory requirement.

What is the need for Uniform Code for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (UCPMP)?

The nexus between doctors and pharma companies is well-known. The most basic form of nexus consists of sending doctors and practitioners branded stationery, calendars, or desk knick-knacks. It keeps their products on top of the mind in a crowded market.

It is especially important in a market such as India, where many essential drugs are placed under price control.

However, the issue is a serious nexus. Where doctors are paid to fulfill the objectives of pharmaceuticals like fees to act as lead investigators on clinical trials or in endorsing key research papers.

Thus, a statutory code instead of voluntary code has been suggested, where, all pharma companies need to disclose payments made to doctors or their associations, directly or indirectly.

What are the concerns associated with Uniform Code for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (UCPMP)?

The unusual Indian administrative problem of overlapping jurisdictions is also likely to hamper the effectiveness of a UCPMP.

There are also regulatory issues between the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers, and the Ministry of Health that UCPMP should be brought under which department and ministry.


How we can democratise sports governance

 

Source: The post is based on an article “How we can democratise sports governance?” published in the Indian Express on 26th August 2022.Syllabus: GS 2 Government Policies and Interventions for Development in various sectors and Issues arising out of their Design and Implementation.

Relevance: Sports Governance Reforms

News: There has been a judicial push for reforms in various sporting bodies, football, hockey, table tennis and the Indian Olympic Association. In recent, apart from this, India has also witnessed a suspension from FIFA in football.

Sports Governance reforms in India

Much of the recent reform action in Indian sports administration bodies have been in the courts.

For example, Judiciary has proposed the nomination of 36 “eminent” former players as members of the general body of AIFF alongside the 36 representatives of the state football associations

Legal regime for Sports Governance in India

There are various national legal systems bringing regulations to enforce their notion of good governance. The Indian version is the National Sports Development Code, 2011, fondly known as the Sports Code.

The Sports Code assembles dozens of government notifications issued over a few decades. Its administrative directions are binding on federations. Further, it provides the minimum standards that a sports body must comply with to retain the sports ministry’s annual recognition.

The Olympic Charter has a provision for the election of athlete representatives as members of the National Olympic Committee and their boards. This involves the creation of federation-recognised athlete membership bodies that include both active and recently-retired athletes with the right to vote their representatives into membership and federation posts.

The Olympic Charter sets a minimum of two athletes as members and one as an executive committee member of the National Olympic Committee (that is, the IOA) but has no upper limit for either.

What are the issues in sports governance in India?

At the heart of the controversy are differing conceptions of a) what “democratic” decision-making in federations looks like, b) who should be members of sports federations, and c) who have the right to vote in and stand for elections in these bodies.

At present, sports bodies are governed by a number of interest groups. The decision-making in these bodies is subjected to political and other considerations which go against sporting interests.

Although the Judiciary has proposed reforms, it is believed that the judiciary is not the ideal arbiter of sports governance standards.

What are the challenges in Sports Governance?

The sports persons or athletes are not adequately represented in the electoral colleges of the sports bodies. These athletes have been alienated from the administration since the days of their youth. Therefore, they have little experience in sports governance.

Athletes might end up as effective sports administrators. There is an equal chance that they will not.

It is attractive to start with reforms at the top. However, the quality at the top of the sports pyramid, be it of athletes or administrators, depends entirely on what emerges from the bottom.

What are the suggestions to improve sports governance?

(1) There is a strong belief that athletes must be given a powerful voice in sports administration.

(2) The autonomy of sports federations is a vital pillar of the sports movement. This will enable sports bodies to act independently through their own democratic structures, free from governmental and external influence. This autonomy is not the antithesis of public accountability.

(3) Reforms must be taken from the bottom of the pyramid, i.e., to reconstitute district and state bodies that feed into the national sports governance pyramid.

(4) The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) judgment held that the Sports Code provisions are also applicable right down the sports pyramid.

(5) The focus of reform efforts must be on training sports governors and administrators, both athletes and non-athletes.

(6) There must be athlete commissions and athlete representation in every district, state and national sports body. Further, these bodies must be embedded in decision-making in reasonable numbers.


India as a foreign policy leader and balancer

 

Source: The post is based on an article “India as a foreign policy leader and balancer” published in the Indian Express on 26th August 2022.Syllabus: GS 2 International Relations

Relevance: Evolution of India’s Foreign Policies

News: India is going to be the next President of the G20. India’s Presidency provides a perfect opportunity and beginning for the next anniversary era.

What are the principles guiding India’s Foreign Policy?

National interests are the principal driver of India’s foreign policy. For example, National security remains the key driver. Further, India’s Foreign Policies are anchored in a nuanced balancing of interests and values.

The Foreign Policies are guided by the belief that external relationships accelerate India’s economic progress.

Other motivations include the desire to enhance the nation’s standing externally and the impulse to do good for the world. For example, India assisted over 90 countries during Pandemic Covid-19.

What is the evolution of India’s Foreign Policy?
During Cold-war Period

India believed in the ideals of equity like India’s independence would be incomplete without the liberation of Asia and Africa.

Traditionally, India has acted as a balancer and leader. During the Cold war, India was the leader of the Non-Aligned Movement and G77. India also remained in proximity with the West and demonstrated the capability to cooperate and communicate with the “other” side — Russia and China.

Since its Independence, India has accorded the highest priority to India’s immediate neighbours. For example, India’s contribution to the liberation of Bangladesh and the military interventions in Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

India’s foreign policy mainly focused on China and Pakistan due to the history of conflicts between Pakistan and China.

Post-Cold War Period

In the post-Cold War period, India has moved more time and resources to careful nurturing relations with the major powers like the US, EU, especially France and Germany, the UK, Japan, Russia and China.

Post-2014 Period

From an economy that faced the challenge of feeding its population until the 1960s, India has emerged as the fifth-largest economy.

Now, India has ties with countries across regions, i.e., in the South Pacific, through Southeast and South Asia, in other parts of Asia, Europe, the Indian Ocean region, Africa, North America and Latin America. This show India is one of the aspiring, as well as a major player on the world stage.

The neighbours have not been ignored. For example, equations with Bhutan, Bangladesh and Maldives are excellent.

Now, India is a leading member of the UN, an oft-invitee to the G7, a founding member of the BRICS, and a pivotal part of the G20. Further, India has become a major stakeholder in the comity of nations.

What are the challenges to India’s external standing?

a) India’s relations with its neighbours like Afghanistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka seem to have turned since the Covid-19 pandemic, b) both SAARC and BIMSTEC are not performing at the desired level, c) Despite India’s enhanced GDP and its IT prowess, the doors of permanent membership in the UN Security Council remain shut.

The importance of Indo-Pacific region

The Indo-Pacific Region has emerged as a principal theatre for Indian diplomacy in terms of Foreign Policy. For example,

(a) India’s continuous focus on the ASEAN Grouping, despite the setback of India’s exit from RCEP, is a determined pushback to China.

(b) Further, India is also partnering with the QuadAUKUS, the Indo-Pacific Economic FrameworkPartners in the Blue Pacific etc., as the Indian Ocean region (IOR) is witnessing an active US-China contestation as well as a strong competition between China-India.

(c) Further, India focuses on Africa’s eastern and southern flanks to enable India to craft a series of initiatives to strengthen cooperation in maritime activity, economic development, and the blue economy.

Further, the I2U2 (India, Israel, U.S. UAE) has been formed to cause progress in India-UAE, India-Israel and UAE-Israel relations.

What should be done?

The Ministry of External Affairs has been aided by academia, think tanks, civil society and media more than ever before, in terms of foreign policy making. This is a reflection of the maturity and sophistication of Indian democracy.


GS Paper 3

How to decarbonize the steel industry

 

Source: The post is based on the article “How to decarbonize the steel industry published in The Live Mint on 26th August 2022.Syllabus: GS 3 – Climate change and pollution

News: India is a big producer of steel. Reducing emissions from this industry will have a hugely positive effect on the environment.

What is the significance of reducing emissions from the steel industry?

The decarbonization of steel production will also lead to the decarbonization of related industries such as automobiles, infrastructure, and buildings.

India is the world’s second-largest steel producer.

The National Steel Policy states that by 2030, a capacity of 300 million tons per year will be needed to meet the needs of our rapidly growing economy, which implies a doubling of production and a parallel increase in energy consumption.

Steel accounts for almost a third of direct industrial CO2 emissions, or 10% of India’s total energy infrastructure CO2 emissions.

What are the challenges associated with decarbonizing the steel industry in India?

Decarbonizing will not be fast and without big investments. Basic decarburization technologies are not yet feasible and are not commercially workable.

Steel has a primary and secondary impact on Scope 3 emissions in the Indian economy.

That is why India must face the challenge of decarbonization decisively.

What can be done further?

Steel production technology is diverse in both the primary and secondary sectors.

However, clean technologies can lead to a general adoption that will transform steel production and reduce environmental damage.

Research and development by the steel industries will help in reducing the environmental damage by developing new processes and products, improving processes to maximize quality, optimizing costs and energy consumption, recycling waste and conserving natural resources.


Tackle The Four Trojan Horses Of Inequality

 

Source: The post is based on an article “Tackle the four trojan horses of inequality” published in The Times of India on 26th August 2022.Syllabus: GS 3 Inclusive Growth

Relevance: Growing Inequalities in India

News: Persisting and increasing inequalities have been a defining feature of present times. Policymakers should focus on at least four factors that are increasing inequalities.

What are the factors that are increasing inequalities?

(1) Economic system itself: French economist Thomas Piketty in his seminal work “Capital in the Twenty-First Century” postulated that inequalities are here to stay as they are hardwired into the present system. The rich have the capital, returns of which are much greater than those that are possible from labour.

(2) The rich are becoming richer due to the macroeconomic situation worldwide: In early 2020, major central banks adopted expansionary monetary policies due to slowing economies. This led to a large inflow of capital which resulted in asset price inflation, enriching those who had assets. At the same time, the pandemic-induced disruption, and supply chain disruption led to decade-high levels of inflation which disproportionately squeezed consumption by the poor.

(3) The growing education chasm: In addition, the edtech revolution in the education sector has profound implications for inequalities in access to and quality of education. While edtech has huge potential to improve access to quality education, it has not helped the poor and people in rural areas.

(4) The vanishing jobs pie: The employment elasticity of growth has come down and the number of gig-economy workers with no social protection has been going up. The Pandemic induced lockdown impacted lower-skilled workers, predominantly in the informal sector, as well as increased gender-based inequities in income and employment.

(5) Digital boost but only for the well-off: India’s innovations in information and communication technology (ICT) have been remarkable. But the is a large digital divide and some are getting left behind like people relying on manual labour such as guards, messengers and construction workers. This gap has been further widened by the pandemic.


‘Freebies’, a judicial lead and a multi-layered issue

 

Source: The post is based on the article “Freebies, a judicial lead and multi-layered issue” published in “The Hindu” on 26th August 2022.Syllabus: GS 3 The Union Budgeting

Relevance: Freebies; Subsidies etc.

News: In the recent, the Prime Minister commented upon the “freebies” handed out by the state governments. The Supreme Court of India also commented that there has to be a distinction between expenditure made on social welfare schemes and “irrational freebies” offered to voters during elections. This has reignited the debate on the economic rationale for granting subsidies.

What is the definition of “subsidies”?

According to the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures (ASCM) of the World Trade Organization (WTO), a subsidy shall be deemed to exist if there is a financial contribution in form of the direct transfer of funds (e.g., grants, loans and equity infusion), and/or government revenue that is otherwise due is foregone or not collected, and/or a government provides goods or services, by a government or any public body where government is engaged

In other words, ‘Subsidy’ can be any form of income or price support granted by the government. In fact, there is a distinction between various forms of subsidies: (1) transfer payments that are made for running social welfare schemes, and (2) other subsidies (like freebies) .

Tax policy includes tax preferences like special tax rates, exemptions, deductions, rebates, deferrals, and credits. These are aimed for realising specific benefits serving the greater public good. For instance, to promote savings by individuals, and customs duty concessions are intended to promote exports.

What are the issues in providing tax-preferences?

There are situations when the objectives of tax-preferences are not realised, for instance, the 2019-20 corporate tax cuts did not result in higher private investment as the Government had expected.

First, as compared to individuals, corporates have been enjoying a larger share of tax preferences, for all years except in 2019-20 when the share of individuals inexplicably increased. Further, the corporate sector is also enjoying lower tax rates than the income tax rates on individuals.

Further, the government has reduced subsidies in agricultural sector, public health and education sector.

(a) Public health expenditure has struggled to cross 1.5% of GDP, which is significantly lower than those in other major economies.

(b) In education, the Kothari Commission’s recommendation (1966), that public investment should be increased to “6 percent of the national income as early as possible” remains a distant dream.

(c) Agriculture has remained a neglected sector. Its share has almost halved in recent years.

(d) The market fundamentalists oppose these subsidies/support to the health, education and agricultural sector. The spaces are being created for private players. For example, the Government had brought the controversial farm laws for dealing with the issue of increasing farm subsidies.

 


Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

Explained: The One Nation One Fertilizer scheme, the Govt’s logic, and some immediate risks

Source: The post is based on the article “Explained: The One Nation One Fertilizer scheme, the Govt’s logic, and some immediate risks” published in Indian Express on 26th August 2022.

What is the News?

The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers has decided to implement One Nation One Fertiliser by introducing a “Single Brand for Fertilizers and Logo” under the fertilizer subsidy scheme named “Pradhanmantri Bhartiya Janurvarak Pariyojna”(PMBJP).

Note: PMBJP is the scheme under which the Central government grants subsidies annually to fertilizers.

What is the “One Nation One Fertiliser” scheme?

Under the scheme, all fertiliser companies in the country have to sell their products under the brand name of ‘Bharat’.

This means that all fertilizer bags whether containing urea, diammonium phosphate(DAP), or NPK will have the prefix Bharat – for instance, ‘Bharat urea’, Bharat DAP’, ‘Bharat NPK’ and ‘Bharat MOP’ – irrespective of whether it is manufactured by a public or a private player.

The companies have been allowed to display their name, brand, logo and other relevant product information only on one-third space of their bags.

On the remaining two-thirds space, the “Bharat” brand and Pradhanmantri Bharatiya Jan Urvarak Pariyojana logo will have to be shown.

What is the government’s argument for introducing this scheme?

The maximum retail price of urea is currently fixed by the government, which compensates companies for the higher cost of manufacturing or imports incurred by them.

Apart from subsidizing and deciding at what price companies can sell, the government also decides where they can sell. This is done through the Fertilizer (Movement) Control Order, 1973.

Hence, when the government is spending vast sums of money on fertiliser subsidies, it would obviously want to take credit and send that message to farmers.

What can be the drawbacks of this scheme?

Firstly, it will disincentivise fertilizer companies from undertaking marketing and brand promotion activities. They will now be reduced to contract manufacturers and importers for the government. Any company’s strength ultimately is its brands and farmer trust built over decades.

Secondly, currently, in case of any bag or batch of fertilisers does not meet the required standards, the blame is put on the company. But now, that may be passed on fully to the government. Politically, the scheme might well boomerang rather than benefit the ruling party.


Nikshay Poshan Yojana: TB nutrition aid falls short

Source: The post is based on the article “Nikshay Poshan Yojana: TB nutrition aid falls short” published in Down To Earth on 25th August 2022.

What is the News?

Only two-thirds of people living with tuberculosis benefitted from the Nikshay Poshan Yojana scheme in 2021.

What is the Nikshay Poshan Yojana?

Launched in: 2018 by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Under the scheme, every TB patient in India, seeking treatment in both government and private sector hospitals is eligible for a direct benefit transfer(DBT) of Rs 500 per month to support their nutritional needs.

Note: The major risk factor driving TB in India is undernutrition. More than 0.9 million new cases are attributable to undernutrition, accounting for nearly 34% of all cases

Performance of the scheme: 

As per India TB Report 2022, only 62.1 % of 2.1 million notified TB cases across the country received at least one payment in 2021.

In Delhi, which has the highest burden of all forms of TB at 747 cases per 100,000 people, only 30.2 % of patients have got at least one DBT.

Other poor performers are Punjab, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Bihar, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. In the North East, Manipur and Meghalaya fared the worst.

What are the reasons for the poor performance of the scheme?

Several hurdles were found in the DBT for both health providers and patients such as non-availability of bank accounts and unlinked bank accounts.

Lack of communication, stigma, illiteracy and the multistep approval process are the other key hurdles.

Moreover, states have their own nutritional support schemes. But, some schemes are only for patients showing resistance to TB drugs.

 


Newly identified gene could be clue to treatment of fungal infection in immuno compromised patients

Source: The post is based on the article “Newly identified gene could be clue to treatment of fungal infection in immuno compromised patients” published in PIB on 25th August 2022.

What is the News?

Scientists have identified a gene called CSA6. This gene can hold the key to prevent fungal infection Candidiasis.

What is Candidiasis?

Click Here to read

What is CSA6?

CSA6 is a gene identified in Candida albicans, a fungal species infamous for causing high rates of morbidity and mortality under certain immuno-compromised conditions such as AIDS or during cancer treatment.

This gene can hold the key to prevent the fungal infection Candidiasis which often affects intensive-care unit(ICU) patients, cancer patients and patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy.

 


Privatization of PSBs

Source: The post is based on the article “Privatization of PSBs” published in The Hindu on 26th August 2022.

What is the News?

An article titled ‘Privatization of Public Sector Banks: An Alternate Perspective’ has been published in the RBI bulletin.

What is the purpose of the article ‘Privatization of Public Sector Banks’?

The authors of the article have cautioned the government against a big bang approach of privatization of these banks as it would do more harm than good.

Note: In her FY22 Budget speech, the Finance Minister announced plans to privatize two state-owned banks.

Read more: Big bang privatization of banks can be harmful: RBI article
Why the public sector banks should be not privatized?

Following are the arguments given against the privatization of the PSBs in the report:

Rural Penetration: Over 60% of PSB branches are in rural and semi-urban areas indicating the crucial role they play in financial inclusion.

Rural Lending: PSBs have been the leading lenders and meet over 60% of rural credit demand. While private banks have gradually made inroads in rural lending, the progress has been slow so far.

Sectoral Share: PSBs have allocated a larger share to agriculture and industry than private banks. The share of PSBs in agriculture lending has also increased over time.

Infrastructure Lending: PSBs account for a majority of infrastructure loans and their role has been especially crucial against the backdrop of the withering away of erstwhile development financial institutions

What should be the way forward according to the authors?

The authors advocate a gradual approach to privatization so that it doesn’t create a void in fulfilling the social objectives of financial inclusion and monetary transmission.

Read more: How should public sector banks be privatised?

 


For ease of doing biz, century-old Boilers Act to be decriminalized

Source: The post is based on the article “For ease of doing biz, century-old Boilers Act to be decriminalized” published in Livemint on 26th August 2022.

What is the News?

The Government of India is set to decriminalize the archaic Indian Boilers Act,1923.

What is the Indian Boiler Act,1923?

Indian Boilers Act-1923 was enacted with the objective to provide mainly for the safety of life and Property of persons from the danger of explosions of steam boilers and for achieving uniformity in registration and inspection during the operation and maintenance of boilers in India.

What are the key changes the government is planning to make to the Indian Boiler Act, 1923?

Firstly, decriminalize the Boilers Act by removing the provision for a two-year jail time for violation of the rules.

Secondly, easing the rules by extending the duration of licenses and cutting the frequency of inspections.

What will be the impact of these amendments?

A boiler is an essential tool for a number of industries including power plants, government factories, sugar, textile, feed, auto rice mills and the pharmaceutical industry.

Hence, these proposed changes will help improve the ease of doing business in the country and reduce litigation.


Gati-Shakti Vision for Telecom Infrastructure – Right of Way Rules Amended for Faster 5G Roll-out

Source: The post is based on the article Gati-Shakti Vision for Telecom Infrastructure – Right of Way Rules Amended for Faster 5G Roll-out” published in PIB on 25th August 2022.

What is the News?

The Department of Telecommunications has released the Indian Telegraph Right of Way (Amendment) Rules, 2022.

The amendments are expected to expedite the upgradation and expansion of the 5G telecom networks.

What are the key rules of the Indian Telegraph Right of Way (Amendment) Rules, 2022?
Indian Telegraph Right of Way (Amendment) Rules
Source: Economic Times

Telecom licensees can enter into an agreement with private property owners and will not require any permission from any government authority for installing telecom infrastructures such as towers, poles or optical fibre.

No administrative fee shall be charged by the Central government for the establishment of poles on land owned/controlled by it. For State/UTs, this fee will be limited to ₹1,000 per pole. The fee for laying overground optical fibre shall be limited to ₹1,000/ Km.

Telecom licensees will be able to use street infrastructure to deploy telecom equipment at a cost of ₹150/annum in rural areas and ₹300/annum in urban areas.

Telecom licensees shall not be required to pay compensation for land for the establishment of poles.

GatiShakti Sanchar portal will be the single window for getting all the Right of Way(RoW) clearances.

What is the significance of these rules?

The major challenges faced by the telecom sector were access to the existing infrastructure, deployment of new infrastructure and the high cost involved in it.

These rules will help in overcoming those challenges and will ensure the speedy roll-out of the technology and make the dream of 5G enabled India comes true.


India’s battery storage potential to be 600 GWh by 2030: Niti Aayog

Source: The post is based on the article “India’s battery storage potential to be 600 GWh by 2030: Niti Aayog” published in TOI on 25th August 2022.

What is the News?

NITI Aayog has released a report titled ‘Advanced Chemistry Cell Battery Reuse and Recycling Market in India’.

What are the key findings of the report?

Battery Storage Potential: The total cumulative potential for battery storage in India will be 600 GWh by 2030.

Current Demand: The current deployment of Lithium-Ion Batteries(LIBs) in India is dominated by consumer electronics, which comprises smartphones, laptops, notebooks, tablets and is further expected to grow with the digitalisation of platforms and the integration of technology.

Demand Drivers: EVs (Electric Vehicles) and consumer electronics will be the major demand drivers for the adoption of battery storage in India.

Suggestions: A coherent regulatory framework incentivising all stakeholders to participate in the recycling process can help in the development of a battery recycling ecosystem in the country.


Cabinet approves amendment to export policy for Wheat or Meslin Flour

Source: The post is based on the article “Cabinet approves amendment to export policy for Wheat or Meslin Flour” published in PIB on 25th August 2022.

What is the News?

The Union Cabinet has approved changes in the policy of exports of wheat and has removed the exemptions on Wheat or Meslin Flour from export restrictions or ban.

This will now allow the government to put a restriction on the export of Wheat Flour which will ensure a curb on the rising prices of wheat flour.

What is Wheat or Meslin Flour?

Meslin Flour is a wheat and rye blend that is sown and harvested together. It is typically traded alongside wheat.

Why is the government planning to put a restriction on the export of Wheat Flour?

Russia & Ukraine are the major exporters of wheat accounting for around 1/4th of the global wheat trade. The conflict between them led to the global wheat supply chain disruptions increasing the demand for Indian wheat.

As a result, the price of wheat in the domestic market showed an increase. In order to ensure food security for 1.4 billion people in the country, the decision was taken to put a prohibition on the export of wheat in May 2022.

However, due to the prohibition on the export of wheat (which was done to put a check on increasing prices in the domestic market and to ensure food security in the country), the demand for wheat flour has increased in foreign markets and its exports from India have registered a growth of 200% during April-July 2022 compared to the corresponding period in 2021.

The increased demand for wheat flour in the international market led to a significant price rise of wheat flour in the domestic market. Hence, the government has decided to put a restriction on the export of wheat.


Explained: What is ‘Arth Ganga’, govt’s new model for the river’s sustainable development

Source: The post is based on the article “Explained: What is ‘Arth Ganga’, govt’s new model for the river’s sustainable development” published in Indian Express on 25th August 2022.

What is the News?

Director General of the National Mission for Clean Ganga spoke about the Arth Ganga model during his virtual keynote address to the Stockholm World Water Week 2022.

Note: Since 1991, the Stockholm International Water Institute has been organizing World Water Week every year to address global water concerns.

What is Arth Ganga?

Origin: In 2019, PM first introduced the concept of Arth Ganga during the first National Ganga Council meeting in Kanpur where he urged for a shift from Namami Gange (cleaning of Ganga) to the model of Arth Ganga.

Definition: The Arth Ganga focuses on the sustainable development of the Ganga and its surrounding areas, by focusing on economic activities related to the river.

– The Arth Ganga model seeks to use economics to bridge people with the river. It strives to contribute at least 3% of the GDP from the Ganga Basin itself.

Features: Under Arth Ganga, the government is working on six verticals:

1. Zero Budget Natural Farming: It involves chemical-free farming on 10 km on either side of the river, and the promotion of cow dung as fertilizer through the GOBARdhan scheme.

2. Monetization and Reuse of Sludge & Wastewater: It seeks to reuse treated water for irrigation, industries and revenue generation for Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).

3. Livelihood Generation Opportunities by creating haats where people can sell local products, medicinal plants and ayurveda.

4. Increase public participation by increasing synergies between the stakeholders involved with the river.

5. Promote the cultural heritage and tourism of Ganga and its surroundings, through boat tourism, adventure sports and conducting yoga activities.

6. Promote institutional building by empowering local administration for improved water governance.


Anang Tal lake declared monument of national importance

Source: The post is based on the article Anang Tal lake declared monument of national importance” published in Indian Express on 25th August 2022.

What is the News?

The Anang Tal lake has been declared a Monument of National Importance through a gazette notification by the Ministry of Culture.

What is Anang Tal Lake?

It is located in South Delhi. The lake is situated to the north of Jog Maya temple and approximately 500 metres to the northwest of Qutub Complex.

The lake is claimed to have been built by a Tomar King, Anangpal II in 1060 AD.

The lake is said to have been a place of a general resort, but now it is dried up and used for cultivation.

It is also said Alauddin Khalji, in 1296-1316 AD, utilised the water of this tank when he built (Qutub) minar and extended the Qutub-ul-Islam mosque.

Who was Anangpal II?
Read here: AnangTal’s cleaning up and beautification to begin next week.

Mains Answer Writing

[UPSC Interview 2023] – Transcript #160: Dinesh Dasa sir Board, Agriculture Optional, Rajasthan Home State

Date of Interview: 29 Feb Board: Dinesh Dasa sir Optional: Agriculture Home State: Rajasthan Keyword- Agriculture, Rajasthan Duration: 30-35 min To view all IAS Interview Transcripts 2023, visit this page Chairman I ll give you one statement reflect on it Gm crops are good but we degrading our genetic biodiversity Tell me why onion inflation is… Continue reading [UPSC Interview 2023] – Transcript #160: Dinesh Dasa sir Board, Agriculture Optional, Rajasthan Home State

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[UPSC Interview 2023] – Transcript #159: Lt, Gen Raj Shukla Board, PSIR Optional, Bihar Home State

Date of Interview: 19th Feb, Bihar Board: Lt, Gen Raj Shukla Optional: PSIR Home State: Bihar Background: IIT Roorkee Key words: IIT Roorkee , Bihar, patent office(DAF) Last to go forenoon session To view all IAS Interview Transcripts 2023, visit this page Chairman Discussion on Electoral bond. Issue with SC decision on bond Alternative to electoral… Continue reading [UPSC Interview 2023] – Transcript #159: Lt, Gen Raj Shukla Board, PSIR Optional, Bihar Home State

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[UPSC Interview 2023] – Transcript #158: Bidyut Behari Swain Board, Commerce & Accountancy Optional, Arunachal Pradesh Home State, JRF, writing Hobbies

Date of Interview: 28-02-24 (forenoon) Board: Bidyut Behari Swain Optional: Commerce & Accountancy Home State: Arunachal Pradesh Hobbies: Writing (others not asked) Daf- JRF, writing Time- around 35 mins To view all IAS Interview Transcripts 2023, visit this page Chairman Tell me about Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura (I am from NE) Tell me about JRF How to boost… Continue reading [UPSC Interview 2023] – Transcript #158: Bidyut Behari Swain Board, Commerce & Accountancy Optional, Arunachal Pradesh Home State, JRF, writing Hobbies

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Must Read Daily Current Affairs Articles 28th March 2024

About Must Read News Articles is an initiative by Team ForumIAS to provide links to the most important news articles of the day. It covers The Hindu newspaper. This saves the time and effort of students in identifying useful and important articles. With newspaper websites requiring a paid subscription beyond a certain number of fixed… Continue reading Must Read Daily Current Affairs Articles 28th March 2024

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Ace CSE 2024 Prelims with ForumIAS All-India Simulator Tests!

Dear CSE 2024 Aspirants,   Prelims 2024 has been postponed by almost a month. While this shift might have disrupted some of your plans, it also presents an invaluable opportunity to further refine your preparation and approach the examination with even greater confidence. Therefore, to capitalize on this opportunity, you need a thorough practice, to… Continue reading Ace CSE 2024 Prelims with ForumIAS All-India Simulator Tests!

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[UPSC Interview 2023] – Transcript #157: Sanjay Verma Board, Sociology Optional, Maharashtra Home State, Teaching Hobby

Date of Interview: 28-02-24 (forenoon) Board: Sanjay Verma Sir Optional: Sociology Home State: Maharashtra Hobby: Teaching DAF- Maharashtra,  Civil engg graduate, solid waste management, teaching, Sociology optional To view all IAS Interview Transcripts 2023, visit this page Chairman It was quite a long wait for you. How was your experience As you are from Maharashtra, have… Continue reading [UPSC Interview 2023] – Transcript #157: Sanjay Verma Board, Sociology Optional, Maharashtra Home State, Teaching Hobby

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Better utilization of fertilizer and food subsidies: Basic subsidies can be climate focused and aimed better

Source: The post better utilization of fertilizer and food subsidies has been created, based on the article “Basic subsidies can be climate focused and aimed better” published in “Live mint” on 27th March 2024. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3-economy- Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices. News: The article… Continue reading Better utilization of fertilizer and food subsidies: Basic subsidies can be climate focused and aimed better

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Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (UMTA): Indian cities cry out for UMTA

Source: The post Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (UMTA) has been created, based on the article “Indian cities cry out for UMTA” published in “Business standard” on 27th March 2024. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3- economy- infrastructure News: The article discusses the need for Indian cities to create a Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (UMTA). This… Continue reading Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (UMTA): Indian cities cry out for UMTA

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The shift in India’s foreign policy language – How Delhi talks to world

Source: The post India’s foreign policy language has shifted from being defensive to more assertive and confident has been created, based on the article “How Delhi talks to world” published in “Indian express” on 27th March 2024. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2-International Relations-Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s… Continue reading The shift in India’s foreign policy language – How Delhi talks to world

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UN resolution on the ceasefire in Gaza: Express View on US, Israel and UN: A loud abstention

Source: The post UN resolution on the ceasefire in Gaza has been created, based on the article “Express View on US, Israel and UN: A loud abstention” published in “Indian express” on 27th March 2024. UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2-International relations- Important International institutions, agencies and fora, their structure, mandate. News: This article discusses… Continue reading UN resolution on the ceasefire in Gaza: Express View on US, Israel and UN: A loud abstention

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