9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief – March 31st, 2022

Current Affairs Compilations for UPSC IAS Prelims 2022

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 2

• India and Australia are finally acting like the natural partners they are 
• India can act today to shape tomorrow’s terms of connectivity with Pakistan 
• An unhelpful response to accountancy scandals
• Life, limb & the law: SC’s right on liberal compensation for accident victims. But a clogged system is stacked against citizens
• A parliamentary Bill the ICAI needs to take note of
• Identity and privacy: On Prisoners’ identification Bill/ Why the Criminal Identification Bill overreaches

GS Paper 3

• India’s food response as ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ 
• Race to the bottom for gig workers
• India’s lithium dependency worries

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

• 5th BIMSTEC Summit
• Shrinkflation: How inflation is downsizing some of your favourite foods
• Four govt run film units merged with NFDC
• IONS MARITIME EXERCISE 2022 (IMEX 22)
• Project NETRA: ISRO to step up tracking of space debris
• Matrubhumi – the projection mapping show highlighting the facets of India will now be exhibited at the historic Red Fort throughout the year
• Cabinet approves USD 808 million for “Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance”
• Imports of plastic bottles for waste processing allowed
• Earth Hour: Lights out at 8:30pm, time to conserve energy. All you need to know
• Nearly half of all pregnancies are unintended—a global crisis, says new UNFPA report

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 2

India and Australia are finally acting like the natural partners they are

News: Indian-Australian PM had a virtual summit. Further, a historic free trade agreement is going to be signed between both the countries. 

The free trade negotiations were being carried out for a decade. The negotiation started since May 2011.  The discussions were restarted in June 2020 when India-and Australia established a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. 

Important aspects in Indo-Australia relation

Both India (Part of South Asian Subcontinent) and Australia split from the same supercontinent in the geological history.   

Today, India and Australia represent a partnership with similarities in interests and values. For example,

– Both are multicultural societies and federal democracies

– Both are apprehensive about Chinese hegemonic rise.

– Both are concerned about stability in the Indo-Pacific

What are the issues with Indo-Australia Relations? 

The challenge of economic integration still remains. 

There are predictions about the demise of the Quad. It is because the central theatre of conflict has moved to Europe.

India’s perceived “neutrality” over the war in Ukraine has been taken seriously by west.

Is ETCA compliant to WTO rules? 

The ECTA deal is apparently fully in compliance with WTO rules and Article 24 of GATT. This allows countries to grant special treatment to one another by establishing a free-trade association, provided that “(1) duties and other trade restrictions would be eliminated on substantially all the trade among the participants, (2) the elimination of internal barriers occurred within a reasonable length of time….”  

What is the significance of the agreement to India?

It will give a boost to India’s labour-intensive manufacturing sector, pharma, textile, gemstone and jewellery sectors.  

Indian students in Australia will find an easier pathway to employment. There will be greater ease of visa for a range of skilled human capital from India in demand in Australia, including chefs and yoga instructors. 

In addition, Australian coal will get relatively unrestrained access to India. 

What is the way forward?

The ECTA can act as a significant turning point for India’s foreign policy in terms of geo-strategy as well as geo-economics.  

Both countries have stated to cooperate in areas like science and technology, climate change, defence, people-to-people ties, joint surveillance and real-time intelligence sharing among others.  

India can act today to shape tomorrow’s terms of connectivity with Pakistan

News: Recently, there have been various developments between India and Pakistan relations which were encouraging.  

What are some of the positive developments?

– Both countries handled India’s accidental firing of a missile into Pakistan’s territory with exceptional restraint.  

– An Indian trader sent a consignment of sugar from India to Uzbekistan via Pakistan territory. 

– Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan had praised India’s independent foreign policy. 

What are the issues/challenges from both sides? 

India 

India’s geo-economic focus is now on the east and south. Hence, it has crafted the Act East and Neighbourhood First policies. It is now focusing and investing in global and Indo-Pacific partnerships. 

There is stagnation of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). It has prevented any progress on the plans for motor vehicles connectivity, a joint satellite, an integrated power grid, energy interdependence and the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline. 

India has not made any investment in border infrastructure since India opened its first Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari.  

After the Pulwama attack, Delhi withdrew the Most Favoured Nation status and raised the basic customs duty to 200 per cent. 

There is only one formal crossing with Pakistan. There are over 60 border crossings with northern and eastern neighbour countries.

Pakistan 

The civilian government of Pakistan has let the army handle India. In fact, the geoeconomic priority of Paksitan now lies towards the north and west, especially through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor(CPEC).  

Pakistan is being used as China’s proxy. It poses a regional challenge for India.  

What will happen if India continues to isolate Pakistan? 

Pakistan may continue to disconnect from South Asia. It may use asymmetric warfare to keep its border as hard and securitised. 

What can be done by India even if Islamabad does not reciprocate?  

In order to limit domestic opposition, the initiative taken by India should not involve Kashmir. 

India can promote sectors and industries in the border regions of India. It will benefit both India and Pakistan. It will allow India to be an export market.  

India should explore unilateral measures. Any-non-reciprocated initiative should be promoted diplomatically in order to place the ball in Pakistan’s court. This will put international pressure on Pakistan. Former-PM of India Atal Bihari Vajpayee advocated economic interdependence strategy to soften the India-Pakistan border relations 

India can lower import duties on Pakistani goods. It would put the onus on Islamabad to revise its own decision to suspend trade. For example, Pakistan’s largest global export is in textile, and it is heavily dependent on cotton imports from India. 

India to unilaterally improve cross-border infrastructure, it should massively finance the development of its last-mile road, rail and air network in the peripheral border areas of Gujarat, Rajasthan and Punjab. It will spur domestic development. It will also attract attention from the Pakistani borderland economies.  

India can set up New ICPs along the border at Hussainiwala, Munabao, Suchetgarh or Nadabet. 

Way Forward 

There is a potential to increase India-Pakistan trade from actual $2.4 billion in 2017-18 (now reduced to $400 million) to $37 billion (as per the World bank).  

Even if Pakistan fail to immediately reciprocate, it will still help India reap the benefits of trade and mobility. 

An unhelpful response to accountancy scandals

News: Recently, the government introduced bills to amend the three Acts of Parliament – the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), Institute of Cost Accountants of India and Institute of Company Secretaries of India.

These institutions govern a trio of business governance-related institutions 

Why have these legislations been proposed? 

There have been a series of audit scandals in India Inc over the past two decades. For example, the Satyam accounting fraud, the IL&FS Scandal in 2018 

The Parliamentary panel on finance advocated for changes in disciplinary action.  The disciplinary action often falls short. There has been involvement of the auditors in some alleged financial scams. Thus created a need to revisit the existing disciplinary processes in the three institutes.” 

What are the issues in new legislation? 

The issues have been raised in the manner in which the legislation has been brought up by the government.  

The three entities already have internal disciplinary panels. The proposal mandates that the committees should include external members. But it would provide another source of potential conflict.  

Another proposal is to set up a new coordination body for the three bodies. It would be headed by a secretary-level officer. This increases the probability of government interference in the functioning and erosion of autonomy of these institutions. 

What are the issues in the functioning of the ICAI? 

It has been reluctant to improve the self-governance, the institutional systems and processes in line with global trends 

The institute has been mostly led by family members etc. They don’t improve or crack down on unethical staffing practices.  

What is the way forward?

In order to improve audit standards and promote professionalism in our chartered institutes, the centre should appoint chartered accountants to bank boards as nominee directors, giving them extra-jurisdictional responsibilities.  

Opening up the membership of these institutes to overseas audit firms, can go a long way in improving the performance of these institutes. 

Life, limb & the law: SC’s right on liberal compensation for accident victims. But a clogged system is stacked against citizens

News: In a verdict that offers hope to accident survivors, and sets an example for lower courts, the Supreme Court counselled judges to take a liberal view in awarding compensation to those grappling with 100% disabilities.

Need for reforms

Only a fraction of motor insurance claims raised every year – reportedly around Rs 10,000 crore – are settled without dispute, while the socio-economic costs of road accidents in 2018 stood at Rs 1.5 lakh crore.

Lengthy legal battles with face insurance companies

Large scale accidental deaths: Road accidents, which caused 1.3 lakh deaths in 2020, are a subset of the 3.75 lakh accidental deaths caused by fires, electrocution, drowning, structural collapse, factory accidents etc.

Huge backlog of cases: As neutral intermediaries, the police is expected to guide motor accident claims tribunals (MACTs) impartially. But MACTs are backlogged with 9 lakh petitions, a third pending over three years. Appeals to high courts take even longer for disposal. This has forced SC to propose an appellate tribunal. However, most tribunals have also disappointed.

These big numbers underscore not just the need for reforms to humanely compensate accident victims, but also to prevent accidents from happening.

What is the way forward?

First, the legal architecture and infrastructure require upgrades.

– Road ministry’s new rules making detailed police investigation of all accidents mandatory from April 1 within a 90-day timeline raise hopes of faster settlement of compensation claims.

Second, fixing tortious liability on public and private authorities can achieve deterrence against negligent conduct. SC’s paltry Rs 750 crore award to Bhopal gas tragedy victims from Union Carbide was a missed opportunity to settle the law.

– Recent incidents like the Chintels Paradiso collapse in NCR and the Vaishno Devi stampede must be prosecuted aggressively for fixing civil liabilities, compensating victims and building case laws for the future to safeguard lives.

– The Consumer Protection Act 2019 allows for class action suits that allowed a group of consumers with common interest or acting on behalf of all interested consumers to approach consumer forums for compensation. Due to backlogs in consumer courts, this reform has made a slow start.

A parliamentary Bill the ICAI needs to take note of

News: The Lok Sabha approved a Bill to amend the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949.

The law governs the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). The amendment bill aims to improve discipline, governance, administration, and accountability of ICAI. Following are its main provisions:

1. The ICAI’s disciplinary committee and board of discipline will be chaired by non-chartered accountants (CA)
2. Elected council members will no longer be in a majority in disciplinary committee.
3. The term of the ICAI’s Council will be raised from three to four years.
4. The maximum number of consecutive terms for its elected members will be reduced to two from the current three.
5. ICAI will appoint its auditor from the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India’s panel of CA firms

What is the need of the amendment bill?

Training, disciplinary record:

Despite the difficult examination and articleship (Practical training) for CAs, some skills seem to be lacking to succeed in the corporate world. Skills include, analytical ability, critical thinking, grasp of technology and communication and presentation skills. CA student enrolment is also decreasing.

The ICAI has also been lax in acting against errant members. In 2018, the Government had set up the National Financial Reporting Authority as India’s first independent regulator of accounting and audit. This along with a new amendment will effectively reduce ICAI to an examination board.

Historical Baggage:

CA has not kept pace with the changes in India’s economy and society. ICAI was set up in 1949, largely as the Indian version of the U.K. institute. The focus of Indian business back then was how to make money by beating the system rather than improving efficiency and competitiveness. The CAs focused on getting low-value work from government entities, such as, tax audit, public sector bank branch audit etc. This is presently not sustainable.

Technological advancement:

Artificial Intelligence/ Machine learning can reduce the need for human intervention in accounting. Recent reforms such as faceless tax assessment, prompt refunds, abolition of GST audit have reduced government mandated business for CAs. It might be the reason behind popularity of overseas qualifications such as the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) in India, as they are more relevant to future needs.

Indian Institutes of Accounting (IIAs)

The Parliamentary Committee has suggested starting Indian Institutes of Accounting (IIAs) on the lines of IIT/IIM. They will offer a course based on accounting, auditing etc., ending ICAI’s monopoly over certification. IIAs can greatly enhance the quality of education with a wholesome curriculum.

Way forward: Accounting instituted in other countries including the UK have changed. The ICAI also needs to respond maturely.

Identity and privacy: On Prisoners’ identification Bill/ Why the Criminal Identification Bill overreaches

News: The Criminal Procedure (Identification) Bill, 2022, has been tabled in Parliament.

The bill proposes to enable the collection of biometric and biological data from prisoners, besides the usual physical measurements, photographs and finger-prints.

It authorizes the National Crime Records Bureau to create a central repository of this evidence and share it with law enforcement agencies. There have been questions regarding legal validity of the bill.

What makes a law constitutionally valid?

To be constitutionally valid, the law must be validly enacted, serve a legitimate purpose, and any curtailment of fundamental rights for this purpose must not be excessive.

The earlier law, the Identification of Prisoners Act, 1920, was limited to serious offenders only. Various states have also broadened the scope of this act. For example – Tamil Nadu has enabled collection of blood samples.

What has been the global trend?

Countries such as the USA and UK have empowered their enforcement agencies to collect, store and analyze physical evidence from arrestees and detainees for specific classes of offences. The US maintains DNA indexing systems at the local, state and federal levels. The National DNA Database of the UK is the largest of its kind globally.

What are the shortcomings of the new Bill?

1. Blanket provisions – The Bill allows police to collect samples not only from convicts but also those arrested or detained under any preventive detention law.
2. Lack of adequate restriction on storage, sharing, or usage of the collected data. For example, the US system have strong protocols in place.
3. Violation of fundamental right to privacy as declared by S. Puttaswamy case.
4. Violative of Article 20(3) – right against self-incrimination.

Way forward: Such practices that involve the collection, storage and destruction of vital details of a personal nature ought to be introduced only after a strong data protection law, with stringent punishment for breaches, is in place.

GS Paper 3

India’s food response as ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’

Context: Global hunger is on the rise, driven by the climate crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic shocks, conflicts, poverty, and inequality.  

India via its partnership with World Food Programme, world’s largest humanitarian agency, can help address this problem embodying the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kumtumbakam (Earth is one family).

What is the situation wrt hunger across the world?

At present, globally, there are about 150 million stunted children, 50 million wasted children. In addition, every other child as well as two billion adults are suffering from micronutrient deficiencies.  

More people are living in hunger than in 2015. In fact, 43 million more people suffered from chronic hunger in 2019 in comparison to 2014.  The major cause of this increase has been the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Moreover, the Afghanistan crisis is going to add more. The Ukraine crisis is also driving food and fuel prices. It will add to the burden to the millions (especially the poor and marginalised) who are struggling. 

What efforts have been made to ensure food security in India? 

From sufficiency to assistance: Since the Green Revolution, India has achieved huge progress in food production. Now India has achieved self-sufficiency in food production and it is ready to serve other countries. For example, India exported a record 20 million tonnes of rice and wheat in 2021.  

Safety nets: India has enacted the National Food Security Act (NFSA) 2013. In addition, there are the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), the Mid-Day meals (MDM), and the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS). These measures are going to provide safety net to billions of people in India 

How has India helped other countries?

Afghanistan

India is providing humanitarian food assistance to the people of Afghanistan under the banner of the United Nations Food Programme. For example, recently, food assistance (in kind) was sent to Jalalabad, Afghanistan, through Pakistan via Amritsar’s Attari border. 

Africa and Middle East

In addition, in wake of Covid-19, India has given food aid to several countries in Africa and the Middle East/West Asia. For example, such assistance was sent to Yemen and Zimbabwe in the past.

What is the way forward?

Access to food helps in maintaining peace, as highlighted by the Nobel Peace Prize received by World Food Programme (WFP) in 2020. India must continue to address malnourishment and hunger by furthering access and inclusion via its policies and systems.

The developing countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America can also learn lessons from India’s journey from chronic food shortage to surplus food producer like land reforms, new regulatory systems, public support, and intervention in Agri markets and prices and Agri research.  

Race to the bottom for gig workers

News: Recently, Zomato announced its plans to deliver food to customers in 10 minutes. This has raised several questions on the nature of delivery platforms, and the impact on delivery workers. 

What are the issues with the platform industry, especially food delivery platforms? 

Platform industry is all about grabbing market share. This is done by introducing innovations to increase “efficiency”. In the case of food delivery, platform focus on cost reduction and increasing speed to boost their efficiency. Both factors impact the platform worker, or “delivery partner”. It is because both the factors will improve with reduction in the number of workers and their earnings.  

It is the delivery partner who faces the anger of the customer for late delivery. For example, customers even refuse to pay leaving the partner at the mercy of the platform. 

All costs including fuel, asset cost including cost of maintenance and depreciation, etc. are borne by the worker. It becomes serious when fuel prices have been skyrocketing 

The average earnings of delivery workers are very less. Their net earnings are only around 40% of the total gross earnings from delivery pay-outs and incentives. Out of this, 30% is eaten up by fuel costs and another 30% on various capital costs and levies. 

Serious working conditions: They work for an average 13 hours per day. They cover over 190 kilometres each day.  

Safety concerns: While working for a long hour and distance on a two-wheeler through busy city traffic, it is surely impossible to ensure delivery partner safety. 

Whether the platform owners consider “delivery partner” as a partner in their prosperity or not.  

What is the importance of the platforms?

These platforms have contributed a lot towards improvement in technology and lifestyle, particularly during the course of the pandemic. 

Way Forward 

Human involvement is also an important component in the platform industry. It provides the last link to make the platform an efficient delivery machine. This should not be ignored. 

India’s lithium dependency worries

Context: Lithium has been among the most sought-after mineral during the past few years, largely on the back of its usage in battery manufacturing. China is a major import source of Lithium.

Why is Lithium important for India?

It is a key component of lithium-ion batteries, the demand for which has surged amid the Centre’s push to boost the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in the country.

PLI Scheme: The ₹18,000 crore production-linked incentive scheme for advanced chemistry cell (ACC) battery storage, has kicked off and the supply of lithium, which is largely an imported product, has declined.

Dependency on China: With India being in a diplomatic tussle with China, the supplies from the neighbouring country have declined and India too is looking for other import avenues.

Why the supply of Lithium has declined?

Demand-supply mismatch: The supply of lithium has not kept pace with the rise in demand from electric vehicle makers across the world.

– China is witnessing a mismatch between demand and supply, which has led to a rise in prices.

Who are major Lithium producers and does India produce lithium?

Australia was the largest lithium producer in 2021, according to US Geological Survey, with an estimated output of 55,000 metric tonnes.

Chile and China ranked second and third.

India

– India is dependent on imports for lithium, as production in the country is minimal.

– The first traces of the lithium have been found in Karnataka’s Mandya district, a mere 100 kilometres from Bengaluru. The preliminary find is relatively small, with just about 1,600 tonnes of lithium deposits.

What is India doing to source lithium?

India is searching for domestic reserves and looking for newer countries to source the mineral.

India recently committed to jointly invest $6 million with the Australian government to explore lithium and cobalt mines there over the next six months.

In 2020, KABIL also signed a pact with an Argentine firm to jointly explore lithium in the South American country.

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

5th BIMSTEC Summit

Source: This post is based on an article “5th BIMSTEC Summit” published in PIB on 30th March 2022.

What is the News?

The Prime Minister has participated in the 5th BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) Summit.

What is the 5th BIMSTEC Summit?

Chaired by: Sri Lanka

Theme: “Towards a Resilient Region, Prosperous Economies, Healthy People” 

Main outcomes of the summit

BIMSTEC Charter: The charter formalizes the grouping into an organization made up of member states that are littoral to, and dependent upon, the Bay of Bengal. Under this Charter, the members were expected to meet once in every two years.

Adoption of “Master Plan for Transport Connectivity”: It lays out a guidance framework for connectivity-related activities in the region in the future.

Cooperation Activities: The BIMSTEC cooperation activities will take place in seven pillars, and each of the member countries will lead one pillar. India will lead the security pillar of the BIMSTEC.

Three BIMSTEC Agreements Signed: The BIMSTEC countries signed three agreements, namely:

– BIMSTEC Convention on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters; 

– BIMSTEC Memorandum of Understanding on Mutual Cooperation in the field of Diplomatic Training,

– Memorandum of Association on Establishment of BIMSTEC Technology Transfer Facility.

Shrinkflation: How inflation is downsizing some of your favourite foods

Source: This post is based on an article “Shrinkflation: How inflation is downsizing some of your favourite foods” published in WEF on 31st March 2022.

What is the News?

Companies are resorting to the strategy of Shrinkflation to reduce the impact of rising input costs.

What is Shrinkflation?

Shrinkflation is a combination of two words, “shrink” and “inflation”.

It is the practice of reducing the size of a product while maintaining its sticker price. 

Shrinkflation is basically a form of hidden inflation.

Examples of Shrinkflation:  Shrinkflation is done most commonly in the food and beverage sector, though it may occur in any industry:

– The size of a chocolate bar is reduced from 60 grams to 55 grams, with no resultant decrease in price.

– The pages of a notebook are changed from 1000 to 800 and the price remains unaltered.

– The size of the cold drink bottle is dropped to 750ml from 800ml and no change in price is done.

What are the causes of Shrinkflation?

The main reasons for shrinkflation are: 

Increase Production Costs: Due to the increase in the various elements of production costs such as raw materials, labour, power cost, and so on, the manufacturers are compelled to follow shrinkflation as the increasing costs eat up their profit margins.

Strong level of Competition: Another main reason that leads to shrinkflation is high competition in the industry. To attract customers by maintaining the prices, the producers can maintain their profit margins by adopting this strategy. 

What are the implications of Shrinkflation?

Shrinkflation runs the risk of turning customers away from a product or brand if they notice they are getting less for the same price.

Shrinkflation makes it harder to accurately measure price changes or inflation. The price point becomes misleading since the product size cannot always be considered in terms of measuring the basket of goods.

Four govt run film units merged with NFDC

Source: This post is based on an article “Four govt run film units merged with NFDC” published in The Hindu on 31st March 2022.

What is the News?

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has announced the merger of its four-film media units– Film Divisions, Directorate of Film Festivals(DFF), National Film Archive of India (NFAI), Children’s Film Society of India(CFSI)– with National Film Development Corporation (NFDC).

What is the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC)?

Established in: 1975 

Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Information and Broadcasting

Aim: To plan, promote and organize an integrated and efficient development of the Indian Film Industry and foster excellence in cinema.

Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra

Reason for merger: Bringing all these four film media units under single management will reduce the overlap of various activities and ensure better utilisation of public resources. 

Significance of this merger: With this merger, the mandate for the production of documentaries and short films; organization of film festivals; and preservation of films have been transferred to the NFDC.

IONS MARITIME EXERCISE 2022 (IMEX 22)

Source: This post is based on the article “IONS MARITIME EXERCISE 2022 (IMEX 22)” published in PIB on 30th March 2022.

What is the News?

The maiden edition of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium(IONS) Maritime Exercise 2022 (IMEX-22) was conducted at Goa and in the Arabian Sea.

What is IMEX-22?

It is a maiden maritime exercise of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium(IONS).

Aim: To enhance interoperability in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations among member navies.

Participating Countries: The exercise witnessed participation of 15 out of the 25 member nations of IONS. 

The exercise comprised a Harbour Phase at Marmugao port, Goa, followed by a Sea Phase in the Arabian Sea.

Significance: The exercise is seen as a significant stepping stone for regional navies to collaborate and respond collectively to natural disasters in the region, and paves the way for further strengthening regional cooperation.

Project NETRA: ISRO to step up tracking of space debris

Source: This post is based on an article “ISRO to step up tracking of space debris” published in The Hindu on 31st March 2022.

What is the News?

Indian Space Research Organization(ISRO) is building up its orbital debris tracking capability by deploying new radars and optical telescopes under Project NETRA.

What is Project NETRA?

Initiative: ISRO

Full-Form: NETRA stands for Network for Space Object Tracking and Analysis.

Purpose: It is an early warning system in space to detect space debris and safeguard India’s functional satellites in low-earth orbits.

Facilities under this Project: Under NETRA, ISRO plans to put up many observational facilities such as:

– Space debris tracking radar: It will be capable of detecting and tracking objects 10 cm and above in size. It will have a range of 1,500 km.

– Optical telescopes: These will be inducted as part of establishing an effective surveillance and tracking network.

– Data processing units. 

– Space Situational Awareness Control Centre.

What is Space Debris?

Space Debris consists of rocket bodies that are used to launch satellites, defunct satellites, materials released during mission operations, fragments from on-orbit breakups of space objects, and fragments from Anti-Satellite (ASAT) tests.  

These space objects move with an average speed of 27,000 km per hour in Low Earth Orbits, therefore, a collision with even a centimetre sized tiny fragment can be catastrophic to an operational space asset.

According to ISRO, the volume of space debris is likely to go up in the coming years with the increase in space missions globally. Globally, 2021 saw the highest space object-to-launch ratio. In other words, more space objects are placed in orbit per launch.

Matrubhumi – the projection mapping show highlighting the facets of India will now be exhibited at the historic Red Fort throughout the year

Source: This post is based on the article “Matrubhumi – the projection mapping show highlighting the facets of India will now be exhibited at the historic Red Fort throughout the year” published in PIB on 30th March 2022.

What is the News?

As part of the Red Fort Festival – Bharat Bhagya Vidhata, the Projection Mapping Show ‘Matrubhumi’ is receiving an overwhelming response.

What is the Matrubhumi Show?

It is being organized as part of the Red Fort Festival – Bharat Bhagya Vidhata.

Purpose: It is a Projection Mapping Show that showcases the rich and diverse culture of India using light, sound and music with state-of-the-art technology.

This show will now be a permanent fixture at the historic Red Fort and will run throughout the year.

What is the Red Fort Festival – Bharat Bhagya Vidhata?

Organized by: Ministry of Culture as part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.

Purpose: It is a cultural festival that aims to showcase India’s rich history and diversity in art, heritage, culture, cuisine and more.

Note: Ministry of Culture has collaborated with the Dalmia Bharat Group (DBG) to organize this event as DBG has adopted the Red Fort as its Monument Mitra under the ‘Adopt A Heritage’ project.

What is Adopt a Heritage Project?

Launched in: 2017

Nodal Ministry: It is a collaborative effort by the Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Culture, Archaeological Survey of India and State/ UTs Governments.

Aim: To ensure quality & inclusive provision of amenities and facilities across heritage, natural, & tourist sites through active participation of private and public sector organizations and individuals. These organizations would be known as “Monument Mitras” for their collaboration initiative.

Cabinet approves USD 808 million for “Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance”

Source: This post is based on the article “Cabinet approves USD 808 million for “Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance” published in PIB on 30th March 2022.

What is the News?

The Union Cabinet has approved the “Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance” (RAMP) Programme.

What is the Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance(RAMP) Programme?

Nodal Ministry:  Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises(MSME)

Type: Central Sector Scheme

Funding: It is a World Bank assisted programme

Committees: The RAMP programme was formulated based on the recommendations made by U K Sinha Committee, KV Kamath Committee and Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (PM-EAC).

Aim: To provide support to the MSMEs by improving access to market and credit, strengthening institutions and governance at the Centre and State, improving Centre-State linkages and partnerships, addressing issues of delayed payments and greening MSMEs.

Key Features of RAMP Programme

Result Areas: The programme will focus on two result areas: 1) Strengthening Institutions and Governance of the MSME Program and 2) Supporting Market Access, Firm Capabilities and Access to Finance.

Disbursement Linked Indicators(DLI): The disbursement of funds from the World Bank towards RAMP would be made on fulfilling several indicators such as accelerating MSME Sector centre-state collaboration; reducing the incidence of delayed payments, enhancing the effectiveness of MSME Schemes among others.

Strategic Investment Plans(SIPs): The important component of RAMP is the preparation of SIPs. The SIPs would include an outreach plan for identification and mobilization of MSMEs, identify key constraints and gaps, set milestones and project the required budgets for interventions in priority sectors including renewable energy, rural & non-farm business, wholesale and retail trade etc.

Monitoring of the programme: It would be done by an apex National MSME Council headed by the Minister for MSME, including representation from various Ministries and supported by a secretariat.

What is the expected impact of the RAMP Programme?

Policy Provider: It will address the COVID related challenges in the MSME sector by way of impact enhancement of existing MSME schemes, especially on the competitiveness front. 

Job Enabler: The programme through enhanced collaboration with States will be a job enabler, market promoter, finance facilitator and will support vulnerable sections.

Technology Provider: It will provide access to high-end technology resulting in the digital and technological transformation of MSMEs through state-of-the-art Artificial Intelligence, Data Analytics, Internet of things(IoT) and Machine Learning.

Imports of plastic bottles for waste processing allowed

Source: This post is based on an article “Imports of plastic bottles for waste processing allowed” published in The Hindu on 31st March 2022.

What is the News?

After banning the import of plastic waste in 2019, the Environment Ministry has permitted PET Bottles as plastic waste to be imported for processing. 

What has the Government done on the import of Plastic Waste?

The government had banned the import of plastic waste in 2019 to promote the management of locally generated plastic waste.

However, several plastic waste industries have requested the Government to revoke the plan as there was too little waste available for them in India and this was causing them financial losses.

After this, an expert committee was set up by the Ministry of Environment. This committee recommended that firms who had applied for permission could import PET Flakes/Bottles up to 50% of their production capacity. 

Note: Polyethylene Terephthalate(PET) bottles are a category of plastic of which nearly 90% of the domestic supply is already recycled.

What are the objections raised regarding the import of plastic waste into India?

Environment Groups have requested the government not to resume the import of PET bottles, as there is no shortage of PET waste in India. 

As per the industry data, more than 14 lakh tonnes of PET plastic are consumed annually in India and even with a global highest 80% recycling rate, approx. 2.8 lakh tonnes of plastic bottles waste never gets collected.

What was the Government’s response to this?

The government has said that there was no blanket lifting of the import ban on plastic waste. The import was permitted only for the PET bottles to be used for Recycled Polyester Staple Fibre and yarn. 

Earth Hour: Lights out at 8:30pm, time to conserve energy. All you need to know

Source: This post is based on the article “Earth Hour: Lights out at 8:30pm, time to conserve energy. All you need to know” published in Hindustan Times on 31st March 2022.

What is the News?

Every year on the 26th of March, people around the world take an hour off the electricity by switching off their lights at homes and offices as a show of support for the conservation of energy during Earth Hour.

What is Earth Hour?

Started by: World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) in 2007.

Held on: It is an annual event that takes place on the last Saturday of March. 

Purpose: To encourage people from more than 180 countries to switch off the lights from 8.30 pm to 9.30 pm as per their local time.

The idea behind this is to refrain from the use of non-essential lighting to save energy in a symbolic call for environmental protection.

Objective: To increase awareness and spark global conversations on protecting nature, tackling the climate crisis, and working together to shape a brighter future for humans.

The theme for 2022: Shape Our Future

Significance: It is the world’s largest grassroots movement for the environment. It aims to unite millions of people around the world to show solidarity for both people and the planet. 

Nearly half of all pregnancies are unintended—a global crisis, says new UNFPA report

Source: This post is based on an article “Nearly half of all pregnancies are unintended—a global crisis, says new UNFPA report” published in UNFPA on 31st March 2022.

What is the News?

The United Nations Population Fund(UNFPA) has released its flagship State of World Population Report 2022 titled “Seeing the Unseen: The case for action in the neglected crisis of unintended pregnancy”.

What are the key findings of the report?

Women’s sexual and reproductive health rights: Only 57% of women are able to make their own decisions over their sexual and reproductive health and rights. 

Abortions: Globally, 29% of all pregnancies — both intended and unintended combined — end in abortion. This amounts to an estimated 73 million abortions per year, on average, in 2015–2019.

Lack of Safe, Modern Methods of Contraception: Globally, an estimated 257 million women who want to avoid pregnancy are not using safe, modern methods of contraception.

Rising Unintended Pregnancies: Between 2015 and 2019, there were roughly 121 million unintended pregnancies occurred globally each year.

Factors that contribute to unintended pregnancies: 1) Lack of sexual and reproductive health care and information, 2) Contraceptive options that don’t suit women’s bodies or circumstances, 3) Harmful norms and stigma surrounding women controlling their own fertility and bodies, 4) Sexual violence and reproductive coercion, 5) Judgmental attitudes or shaming in health services, 6) Poverty and stalled economic development and 7) Gender inequality.

Report on India: Unsafe abortions are the third leading cause of maternal mortality in India, and close to 8 women die from causes related to unsafe abortions each day. Between 2007-2011, 67% of abortions in India were classified as unsafe.

– One in seven unintended pregnancies in the world take place in India.

What are the suggestions given by the Report?

a) Invest in the empowerment of women and girls, b) Make health services comprehensive such as providing a comprehensive package of sexual and reproductive health services, prevention of stigma and violence and respect for bodily autonomy, c) End gender-based violence and d) Change harmful social norms and stigmas around contraception.