Current Affairs – 08th Apr 2024

Articles Covered

  1. PRESIDENT’S GREETINGS ON THE EVE OF CHAITRA SUKLADI, UGADI, GUDI PADWA, CHETI CHAND, NAVREH AND SAJIBU CHEIRAOBA
  2. Windfall Profit
  3. Shaping India’s path to inclusive health care
  4. States offer up thousands of hectares of ‘degraded’ forest land for green credits
  5. Suvidha Portal
  6. Tri-service Conference ‘Parivartan Chintan’ held in New Delhi
  7. Satpula Dam
  8. outlook on women’s employment
  9. An earthen pot containing 3,730 lead coins from Ikshvaku period unearthed in Phanigiri, Suryapet
  10. FSSAI launches awareness campaign on food safety aspects at prominent markets of Delhi

PRESIDENT’S GREETINGS ON THE EVE OF CHAITRA SUKLADI, UGADI, GUDI PADWA, CHETI CHAND, NAVREH AND SAJIBU CHEIRAOBA

  • The President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu has conveyed her greetings to fellow citizens on the eve of Chaitra Sukladi, Ugadi, Gudi Padwa, Cheti Chand, Navreh and Sajibu Cheiraoba.
  • In a message, the President has said, “On the auspicious occasion of Chaitra Sukladi, Ugadi, Gudi Padava, Cheti Chand, Navreh and Sajibu Cheiraoba, I extend my greetings and good wishes to all fellow citizens.
  • These are the occasions to welcome the spring season and Indian New Year. These festivals, celebrated in different parts of our country, spread the message of peace, harmony and tolerance. These festivals are symbols of our rich culture and heritage. We also express our gratitude to nature on these occasions.
  • May these festivals bring happiness and prosperity for all and motivate us to work for development of our nation with greater zeal”.

Windfall Profit

  1. A windfall profit refers to a sudden increase in profits,typically caused by an unexpected event or circumstance.
  2. Such profits are generally well above historical norms and may occur due to factors such as a price spike or supply shortage that are either temporary in nature or longer-lasting.
  3. Windfall profits are generally reaped byanentire industry sector but can also find their way to an individual company or individual.
  4. Among the reasons that windfall profits can arise are a sudden change in market structure, an executive order from the government, a court ruling, or a dramatic shift in trade policy.
  5. In terms of an individual, a windfall profit/gain could be a spike in income as a result of a specific, one-time eventsuch as winning the lottery or inheriting a fortune or valuable property.
  6. Businesses typically use these profits in part to increase dividends, buy back sharesreinvest in the business for future growth, or reduce debt.

Windfall Tax:

  • Windfall profits often receive a windfall tax
  • It is a tax levied by governments against certain industries when economic conditions allow those industries to experience significantly above-average profits.

Shaping India’s path to inclusive health care

India’s health equity issues require a comprehensive approach that go beyond improvements in health-care facilities

World Health Day which is observed every year on April 7 emphasizing on the issue of health equity for global health and justice.

World Health Day 2024 & World Health Organization (WHO)

  • World Health Day is observed annually on April 7th.
  • World Health Day 2024 theme is “My Health, My Right”.
  • WHO was established on October 24, 1945.
  • The WHO Constitution came into effect on April 7, 1948.
  • WHO began functioning in 1951 after acquiring sufficient resources, emerging from the merger of the Health Organisation of the League of Nations and other entities.
  • India became a member of WHO on January 12, 1948.

Even though over 140 nations recognise health as a constitutional right, the WHO Council on the Economics of Health for All reports that more than half the world’s population needs complete access to essential health services.

Interlinkage of Health and Development

The health of a population is a fundamental need for economic and social well-being. 

  • Hence, a nation’s development is heavily reliant on its ability to provide high-quality healthcare services to its people.This not onlyboosts productivity and promotes healthier lifestyles but also cultivates a well-informed and skilled workforce, ultimately elevating the overall quality of life.

Health Equity

  • About: It ensures that every person has an equal opportunity to achieve their highest health potential, no matter what their circumstances.
  • Addressing Root Cause of Health Inequity: It addresses the root causes of health inequities such as- POVERTY, DISCRIMINATION,
  • limited access to high-quality education, a healthy diet, CLEAN WATER
  • fresh air, and housing, and merely grants equal access to health care.
  • For example, a child born into poverty in a rural area has no access to clean water, wholesome food, or immunisations which lays the foundation for chronic health problems.
  • These differences are made worse by pandemics, climate change and sociopolitical unrest.
  • Health as a Human Right: Health as a human right must be seen as the freedom, where every citizen has the possibility to achieve health and wellness as part of their rights to access to public health.

Constitutional Provision: The Directive Principles of State Policy in Part IV of the Constitution provides a basis for the right to health. 

  • Article 39 (e):It directs the state to secure workers’ health;
  • Article 42:It emphasizes just and humane conditions of work and maternity relief.
  • Article 47: It casts a duty on the state to raise the nutrition levels and standard of living and to improve public health.
  • Article 243G:The Constitution not only mandates the state to enhance public health but also endows the panchayats and municipalities to strengthen public health under Article 243G.

Role of Technology in Improving Health Outcomes

  • Tracking Health Metrics:With the use of mobile apps and remote monitoring devices, individuals can easily track their health metrics and receive personalised recommendations without having to visit a doctor.
  • This saves time and money and allows for better management of chronic conditions.
  • Promote preventive care through data analysis:By collecting real-time data from various sources like fitness trackers, smart scales, and blood glucose monitors, and with the use of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, the patterns can be identified that indicate potential health risks.
  • This information can then beused by individuals to make necessary lifestyle changesor it can be shared with healthcare professionals for more targeted treatment plans.
  • Diagnosis and treatment: For instance, imaging technologies such as MRI and CT scans allow for earlier detection of illnesses with higher precision than ever before.
  • Robotic surgery techniqueshave improved surgical outcomes by increasing accuracywhile minimising invasiveness.

States offer up thousands of hectares of ‘degraded’ forest land for green credits

Chhattisgarh, M.P. account for 40% of the 3,853 hectares of degraded forest land identified by ten States for green credit programme; credits can be used to offset compensatory afforestation obligations

  • Parcels of degraded forest land close to 3,853 hectares have been identified by 10 states to be made available to earn and potentially trade green credits.
  • Union Environment Ministry announced the rules for its GCP Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh alone account for up to 40% of the available forest land.

Green Credits

  • It is an innovative market-based mechanism whereby voluntary environmental actions will be incentivized by participation from various stakeholders like individuals, communities, private sector industries, and companies.

The Green Credits are Categorised into Eight key Areas:

Tree plantation; Water management; Sustainable agricultureWaste management; Air pollution reduction; Mangrove conservation and restoration; Eco-mark labelling; Sustainable building and architecture 

The Green Credit Programme (GCP)

  • Green Credit Programme Launched by: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in line with the Lifestyle for Environment (LiFe) movement at theRECENT COP-28
  • Administered by: The Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE).

Green Credit Programme Features:

  • Creation of a land bank:Registered and approved entities (individuals, groups, public and private sector units) can pay to finance afforestation projects in specific tracts of degraded forest and wasteland.
  • State forest departments will carry out the actual afforestation.
  • Each planted tree would be worth one ‘green credit’ after two years of planting and an evaluation by the International Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE).
  • Offsetting mechanism: Companies can then use these green credits to offset some of their obligations under India’s compensatory afforestation laws.
  • A Market-based Approach:The Green Credit Programme creates a market-based incentive for environment-positive actions like water conservation or soil improvements

Compensatory Afforestation Law

  • Administered under The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, based on the Polluter’s Pay Principle
  • Purpose: The law obliges any industry or institution that has razed forest for non-forestry purposes, to provide an equivalent amount of non-forest land to forest authorities and pay for its afforestation.

Provisions: 

  • The compensatory land needs to be as near as possible to the forest tracts which have been razed.
  • In case of unavailability, twice the amount of ‘degraded’ forest land(usually land with very low tree density but officially marked as forest) may also be made available for compensatory afforestation.
  • Net Present Value Rule:Companies also need to compensate for the value of the forest ecosystem, called the ‘net present value’, which is lost due to the diversion of the forest land.

Suvidha Portal

The Election Commission recently said its Suvidha portal has received over 73,000 applications since the Lok Sabha polls were announced, seeking permission for various campaigning activities.

  1. It is a technological solution developed by the Election Commission of India (ECI) to ensure a level playing field upholding the democratic principles of free, fair, and transparent elections.
  2. It streamlined the process of obtaining and acting upon requests for permissions and facilities from political parties and candidates during the election period.
  3. Recognizing the importance of the election campaign period, where parties and candidates engage in activities to reach out to voters, the Suvidha Portal caters to a diverse range of permission requests transparently on the First in First Out principle.
  4. Political parties and candidates can seamlessly submit permission requests online from anywhere, at any time.
  5. Additionally, offline submission options are available to ensure inclusivity and equal opportunity for all stakeholders.
  6. It caters to permissions for organising rallies, opening temporary party offices, door-to-door canvassing, video vans, helicopters, obtaining vehicle permits, distributing pamphlets.
  7. Supported by a robust IT platform, managed by nodal officers across various state departments, the Suvidha Portal facilitates the efficient processing of permission requests.
  8. Suvidha also has a companion app that enables applicants to track the status of their requests in real time, adding further convenience and transparency to the process.
  9. Furthermore, the permission data available on the portal serves as a valuable resource for scrutinising election expenditures, contributing to greater accountability and integrity in the electoral process.

Tri-service Conference ‘Parivartan Chintan’ held in New Delhi

  • CDS Gen Anil Chauhan stresses on need for developing Joint Culture for Armed Forces
  1. The Tri-service Conference, ‘Parivartan Chintan’, was held in New Delhi on 08 April 2024. The ‘Chintan’ was curated as a brainstorming and idea incubation discussion to generate new and fresh ideas, initiatives and reforms to further propel Jointness and Integration in the Armed Forces. Jointness and Integration are the cornerstones of the transformation to Joint Structures which the Indian Armed forces are progressing towards with the intention of being “Future Ready”.
  2. Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan initiated the ‘Chintan’ by highlighting the need for developing a Joint Culture for the Armed Forces, which while respecting the uniqueness of each service, distils the best of each service to give a de-novo approach to traditional concepts.  He also stressed upon the need to integrate the capabilities of each service by creating structures that increase our efficiency and enhance our war fighting ability and interoperability.
  3. The Tri-Service Conference was attended by Heads of the Andaman and Nicobar Command and Strategic Forces Command, Commandants of National Defence Academy, Defence Services Staff College, College of Defence Management and Military Institute of Technology as well as Heads of the Armed Forces Special Operations Division, Defence Space Agency, Defence Cyber Agency and the Defence Communication Agency. The brainstorming was orchestrated by the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff.
  4. Officers from all the three Services and Headquarters IDS, with diverse service experience also attended the discussion and contributed ideas towards initiating the next generation of reforms related to modernization, procurement, training, adaptation and collaboration while embracing emerging and innovative technologies. Inputs on National Strategic Issues impacting National Security in both the civil and military domains were also deliberated upon.
  5. Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC) Lt Gen JP Mathew in his closing remarks expressed confidence that such interactions will provide the necessary guidelines as Joint Operational Structures evolve to transform to a Future Ready Indian Armed Forces.

Satpula Dam

  1. Satpula (‘sat’ means seven and ‘pull’ means openings of a bridge) was constructed during the reign of Sultan Muhammad Shah Tughlaq(1325-1351).
  2. This structure was built using Delhi quartz— a stone found in the Aravallis.
  3. It was developed as an integral component of the defencewall of the fourth city of Delhi, Jahanpanah.
  4. The dam served two purposes: Providing a reliable source of water for irrigation, and acting as a defenceagainst possible
  5. It was developed by identifying appropriate topography, i.e., a large open plain where water can be stored for irrigating large flat lands. Hence, this structure with sluice gates and a reservoir was developed.
  6. Since Sufi saint Nasiruddin Mahmud(popularly known as Chirag Dehlavi) used to live nearby, people used to believe that the canal water had healing properties.

For centuries, the area used to host a Diwali mela and the attendees would take a holy dip in the waters and even collect some to take home.

outlook on women’s employment

What does the India Employment Report, 2024 state about key labour market indicators? Why is women’s participation in the labour force low? What are the recommendations to bring about a change in women’s job prospects?

  • The story so far:The authors of the India Employment Report, 2024, released recently by the Institute for Human Development and the International Labour Organization, point out that key labour market indicators have improved in recent years. The Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR), the Workforce Participation Rate (WPR) and the Unemployment Rate (UR) showed long-term deterioration between 2000 and 2019 but improved thereafter, the authors note, saying that the improvement coincides with periods of economic distress, both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the exception of two peak pandemic quarters.
  • The female LFPR is very low compared to the male counterparts; in 2023, the male LFPR was pegged at 78.5; and the women LFPR was 37. The world women LFPR rate is 49, according to the World Bank figures. The female LFPR had been steadily declining since 2000 and touched 24.5 in 2019, before inching up, particularly in rural areas. But the writers point out that notwithstanding the modest improvements, employment conditions remain poor.

highlights of the India Employment Report 2024

  • Shifting of Workforce in Non-farm Sectors:The 2000- 2019 period witnessed gradual and continuous shift of the workforce away from into
  • non-farm sectors, a trend which is still continuing.
  • Employment trends in India:Employment in India isprimarily self-employment and casual employment with approximately 82 percent of
  • INFORMAL SECTOR with approximately 90 percent informally employed.
  • Stagnant Wages:While casual laborer salaries rose modestly between 2012 and 2022, regular workers’ actual wages remained stagnant or fell.
  • The rate of youth not in employment, education or training: South Asia with an average of 29.2% between 2010 and 2019 have the highest rate of youth outside employment, training and education.

Outlook on Women Employment in India

Female Labour Force Participation Rate: The FEMALE LFPR was 37 in 2023 as compared to 78.5 for Males. The world women LFPR rate is 49 as per the WORLD BANK.

  • The female Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) had been steadily declining since 2000 and touched 24.5 in 2019, before inching up, particularly in rural areas.
  • Uptick in Participation: Women accounted for the largest share in the increase in self-employment and unpaid family work.
  • Nearly two-thirds of the incremental employment after 2019 comprised self-employed workers, among whom unpaid (women) family workers predominate.
  • Theshare of regular work,which steadily increased after 2000, started declining after 
  • The rate of youth not in employment, education or training: India also has a large share of youth not in employment, education or training but therate is higher among young women than men.

Labour force Participation Rate:

  • Definition: It is the section of the working population in the age group of 16-64 in the economy currently employed or seeking employment.
  • Exclusion:Persons still undergoing studies, housewives and persons above the age of 64 are not seen as a part of the labour force.

An earthen pot containing 3,730 lead coins from Ikshvaku period unearthed in Phanigiri, Suryapet

Archaeology department team found 3,730 lead coins with elephant symbol on one side and Ujjain symbol on the other side

Officials of the Department of Archaeology and Museums have unearthed a coin hoard at the Phanigiri Buddhist site in Suryapet district. The team led by N. Sagar, the excavation director and B. Mallu, the co-excavator, found an earthen pot with 16.7 cm in diameter and 15 cm height at a depth of two feet on March 29. Inside the pot, the team found 3,730 lead coins with elephant symbol on one side and Ujjain symbol on the other side. According to the archaeologists, the coins belong to the Ikshvaku period dated between 3rd century and 4th century Common Era.

Besides the coins, the archaeologists discovered stone beads, glass beads, shell bangle fragments, stucco motifs, broken limestone sculptures, a wheel of a toy cart, final nails and pottery. The Phanigiri is an important Buddhist site that has only recently gained the importance it deserves with many of the excavated artefacts travelling the world most recently to the New York Met Museum.

Ikshvaku Period

  • The Ikshvaku dynasty (c. 225-340 A.D) was a feudatory tribeunder the patronage of the great Satavahana Empire that ruled the Andhra region, the delta of the Krishna and Godavari rivers on the east coast, situating their capital at Dharanikota (present-day Amravati).

The Department of Archaeology and Museums has unearthed a coin hoard at the Phanigiri Buddhist site in the Suryapet district (Telangana).

  1. According to the archaeologists, the coins belong to the Ikshvaku period, dated between the 3rd century and the 4th century Common Era.
  2. The coins have an elephant symbol on the obverse and the Ujjain symbol on the reverse.

Phanigiri:

A Buddhist Site in Telangana

  1. Location: The Phanigiri is an important Buddhist site.
  2. It is situated inNagaram Mandal, Suryapet district, on the left side of the Bikkeru Rivulet, a tributary of Musi.
  3. According to etymology, in Sanskrit, Phani means snake, and Giri means hilltop.

Toranas

  • It is a decorative and symbolic gateway or archwayoften found at the entrance to Buddhist stupas, temples, monasteries, or important religious sites.
  • These are common in various Buddhist traditions.

Discovery of Earlier Excavations: A Mahastupa, apsidal Chaityagrihas, Votive stupas, pillared congregation halls, Viharas, platforms with staircases at various levels, an octagonal stupa chaitya, a 24-pillared mandapam, and a circular chaitya.

  • Cultural Materials Found: Terracotta beads, semi-precious beads, iron objects, Brahmi label inscriptions, and a holy relic casket. All the cultural material dates from the1st century BCE to the 4th century CE.
  • The toranas discovered at Phanigiri show that Mahayana and Hinayana schools coexist here.

Other Important Sites in Region

  • Vardhamanukota, Gajula Banda, Tirumalagiri, Nagaram, Singaram, Aravapalli, Ayyavaripalli, Arlagaddagudem, and Yeleswaram.

FSSAI launches awareness campaign on food safety aspects at prominent markets of Delhi

Food Business Operators sensitized about importance of organic farming, raw material testing, ill effects of pesticide residues, artificial ripening and wax coating using unapproved chemicals

  1. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has launched an extensive awareness and sensitization program targeting major markets in the national capital, in collaboration with the Food Safety Department, Delhi.
  2. Kicking off from the popular Khan Market and INA Market of Delhi on 8th April, 2024, the awareness campaign will focus particularly on the detection and mitigation of pesticide residue and contaminants in food products.
  3. Market associations and traders were actively engaged and educated on the harmful effects of pesticide residue, mainly in fruits and vegetables and the importance of their testing. Additionally, attendees were introduced to FSSAI’s pioneering initiative, the “Food Safety on Wheel” mobile lab, equipped with various rapid testing kits capable of detecting approximately 50 pesticide residues across various food matrices, namely, fruits and vegetables, milk and cereals. Results from these tests are available within a few hours, facilitating swift action to ensure food safety.
  4. Traders were encouraged to capitalize on this resource for expedited testing and to ensure the safety and quality of products sold in the market. Furthermore, they were also sensitized about a wide array of topics concerning food safety like the necessity of obtaining FSSAI licenses or registration and strict adherence to food safety standards. Traders were encouraged to source raw materials exclusively from FSSAI licensed/registered vendors to ensure traceability and compliance.
  5. Further, the significance of raw material testing to guarantee the safety and quality of food products was emphasized during the programme. Awareness regarding artificial ripening and wax coating of fruits and vegetables using unapproved chemicals and role of organic farming was created among the attendees. Attendees were informed about the availability of testing laboratories for food products in Delhi and nearby areas.
  6. The event emphasized the collective responsibility in ensuring food safety, with the mantra, “Food Safety is Everyone’s Responsibility” and also the importance of vital role of every stakeholder across the food supply chain in fostering a healthier India. FSSAI, as the apex food regulator in the country, remains committed to safeguarding public health through the implementation of robust food safety protocols nationwide.
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